NIH NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARD INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH TRAINING
GRANTS (T32)
Release Date: May 16, 2002
Expiration Date: May 10, 2006
PA NUMBER: PA-02-109
Updates:
-June 16, 2006 (PA-06-468) - This PA has been reissued, see PA-06-468
-Change to NCCAM’S NRSA (T32) Policy, see NOT-AT-06-004
-Expiration date extended, see NOT-OD-06-049
-Expiration date extended, see NOT-OD-06-024
-Expiration date extended, see NOT-OD-05-047
-See also, NOT-EB-03-010
National Institutes of Health
NOTE: This program announcement supercedes the notice that appeared in
the NIH Guide on June 1, 2000 as PA-00-103. Application receipt dates
vary by Institute and Center
This PA CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
o Purpose
o Program Objectives
o Mechanism of Support
o Eligible Institutions
o Eligible Program Directors
o Eligible Trainees
o Special Program Considerations
o Allowable Costs
o Service Payback
o Leave
o Where to Send Inquiries
o Application Submission Instructions
o Application Processing
o Peer Review Process
o Review Criteria
o Additional Review Considerations
o Award Criteria
o Required Federal Citations
PURPOSE
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will award National Research
Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Training Grants (T32) to eligible
institutions to develop or enhance research training opportunities for
individuals, selected by the institution, who are training for careers in
specified areas of biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. The purpose
of the NRSA program is to help ensure that a diverse and highly trained
workforce is available to assume leadership roles related to the Nation"s
biomedical and behavioral research agenda. Accordingly, the NRSA program
supports predoctoral, postdoctoral, and short-term research training experiences.
The NIH institutes and centers may have special policies and requirements
for their Institutional Research Training Grants (T32). Therefore, in the early
stages of application preparation, applicants should contact the prospective
NIH awarding component listed at the end of this announcement to discuss their
specific policies.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The NRSA program has been used by the NIH as the primary means of
supporting graduate and postdoctoral research training since enactment
of the NRSA Legislation in 1974. This program uses a combination of
institutional training grants and individual fellowships to ensure a
continuing supply of well-trained scientists prepared to conduct
cutting-edge health-related research. More information about NRSA
programs is available at https://grants.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htm.
Information on the career outcomes of predoctoral NRSA recipients is
available at https://grants.nih.gov/training/career_progress/index.htm
The institutional research training grants described in this
announcement provide support to training programs at institutions of
higher education. Institutional NRSA training grants are designed to
allow the director of the program to select the trainees and to develop
a curriculum of study and research experiences necessary to provide
high quality research training. The grant offsets the cost of stipends
and tuition support for the appointed trainees. The following types of
training can be supported by this grant:
Predoctoral Training. Predoctoral research training must lead to the
Ph.D. degree or a comparable research doctoral degree. Students
enrolled in health-professional training programs that wish to postpone
their professional studies in order to engage in full-time research
training may also be appointed to an Institutional Research Training
Grant. Predoctoral research training must emphasize fundamental
training in areas of biomedical and behavioral sciences.
Postdoctoral Training. Postdoctoral research training is for
individuals who have received a Ph.D., D.V.M, D.D.S., M.D., or a
comparable doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign
institution. Research training at the postdoctoral level must emphasize
specialized training to meet national research priorities in the
biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences.
Research training grants are a desirable mechanism for the postdoctoral
training of physicians and other health professionals who may have
extensive clinical training but limited research experience. For such
individuals, the training may be a part of a research degree program.
In all cases, postdoctoral trainees should agree to engage in at least
2 years of research, research training, or comparable activities
beginning at the time of appointment. It has been shown that the
duration of training has been shown to be strongly correlated with
retention in post-training research activity.
Short-Term Research Training for Health-Professional Students.
Applications for Institutional Research Training Grants may include a
request for short-term predoctoral positions reserved specifically to
provide full-time, health-related research training experiences during
the summer or other "off-quarter" periods. Such positions are limited
to medical students, dental students, students in other health-
professional programs, and graduate students in the physical or
quantitative sciences. Short-term appointments are intended to provide
such students with opportunities to participate in biomedical and/or
behavioral research in an effort to attract them into health-related
research careers. Short-term positions should be requested in the
application and approved at the time of award. Normally, short-term
positions are not to be used for individuals who have already earned a
doctoral degree. Short-term research training positions should last
at least 8 but no more than 12 weeks. Individual health-professional
students or students in the quantitative sciences selected for
appointment should be encouraged to obtain multiple periods of short-
term, health-related research training during the years leading to
their degree. Such appointments may be consecutive or may be reserved
for summers or other "off-quarter" periods. It should be noted that not
all NIH Institutes and Centers permit short-term positions. Applicants
interested in such positions should contact the awarding institute or
center prior to completing their application.
Short-term appointments on regular NRSA Institutional Research Training
Grants (T32), as described in this announcement, should not be confused
with NRSA Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grants (T35),
which are exclusively reserved for short-term research training
appointments. Information about Short-Term Institutional Research
Training Grants can be found at https://grants.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htm.
MECHANISM OF SUPPORT
Institutional NRSA research training grants (T32) may be made for
periods up to 5 years and are renewable. Awards within an approved
competitive segment are normally made in 12-month increments with
support for additional years based on satisfactory progress and the
continued availability of funds.
Trainee appointments are normally made in 12-month increments. No
trainee may be appointed for less than 9 months during the initial
period of appointment, except with the prior approval of the NIH
awarding unit or when health-professional students are appointed to
approved, short-term research training positions.
No individual trainee may receive more than 5 years of aggregate NRSA
support at the predoctoral level or 3 years of support at the
postdoctoral level, including any combination of support from
institutional training grants and individual fellowship awards. Any
extension of the total duration of trainee support at either the
predoctoral or the postdoctoral level requires approval by the director
of the NIH Institute or Center that supports the award. Requests for
extension must be made in writing by the trainee, endorsed by the
director of the training program and the appropriate institutional
official, and addressed to the director of the awarding component. The
request must include a compelling justification for an extension of the
statutory limits on the period of support.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS
Only domestic, non-profit, private or public institutions may apply for
grants to support research training programs. The applicant
institution must have a strong research program in the area(s) proposed
for research training and must have the requisite staff and facilities
to carry out the proposed program.
ELIGIBLE TRAINING PROGRAM DIRECTORS
Any individual with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to
organize and implement a high quality research training program is
invited to work with their institution as the director of the research
training program in order to develop an application for support.
Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as
individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH
programs. The research training program director at the institution
will be responsible for the selection and appointment of trainees to
the NRSA research training grant and for the overall direction,
management, and administration of the program.
TRAINEE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Trainees appointed to the training program must have the opportunity to
carry out supervised biomedical or behavioral research with the primary
objective of developing or extending their research skills and
knowledge in preparation for a research career.
A trainee must be a citizen or non-citizen national of the United
States or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence
(i.e., in possession of a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt
Card I-551, or some other legal verification of such status). Non-
citizen nationals are generally persons born in outlying possessions of
the United States (e.g., American Samoa and Swains Island).
Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
Trainees can fall into one of the following categories:
Predoctoral Trainees. Predoctoral trainees must have received a
baccalaureate degree by the beginning date of their NRSA appointment,
and must be training at the postbaccalaureate level and enrolled in a
program leading to a Ph.D. in science or in an equivalent research
doctoral degree program. Health-professional students, graduate
students in the quantitative sciences, or individuals in postgraduate
clinical training who wish to interrupt their studies for a year or
more to engage in full-time research training before completing their
formal training programs are also eligible.
Postdoctoral Trainees. Postdoctoral trainees must have received, as of
the beginning date of the NRSA appointment, a Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., or
comparable doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign
institution. Eligible doctoral degrees include, but are not limited
to, the following: D.M.D., D.C., D.O., D.V.M., O.D., D.P.M., Sc.D.,
Eng.D., Dr. P.H., D.N.Sc., Pharm.D., N.D. (Doctor of Naturopathy),
D.S.W., and Psy.D. Documentation by an authorized official of the
degree-granting institution certifying all degree requirements have
been met prior to the beginning date of training is acceptable.
Short-Term Health-Professional Trainees. To be eligible for short-term
predoctoral research training positions, students must be enrolled and
in good standing and must have completed at least one quarter in a
program leading to a clinical doctorate or a masters or doctorate in a
quantitative science such as physics, mathematics, or engineering prior
to participating in the program. Individuals already matriculated in a
formal research degree program in the health sciences, or those holding
a research doctorate or master"s degree or a combined health-
professional/research doctorate normally are not eligible for short-
term training positions. Within schools of pharmacy, only individuals
who are candidates for the Pharm.D. degree are eligible for short-term
positions.
Positions on NRSA institutional grants may not be used for study
leading to the M.D., D.D.S., or other clinical, health-professional
training except when those studies are a part of a formal combined
research degree program, such as the M.D./Ph.D. Similarly, trainees
may not accept NRSA support for clinical training that is a part of
residency training leading to clinical certification in a medical or
dental specialty or subspecialty. It is permissible and encouraged,
however, for clinicians to engage in NRSA supported full-time,
postdoctoral research training even when that experience is creditable
toward certification by a clinical specialty or subspecialty board.
Trainees are required to pursue their research training on a full-time
basis, devoting at least 40 hours per week to the program. Within the
40 hours per week training period, research trainees who are also
training as clinicians must devote their time to the proposed research
training and must confine clinical duties to those that are an integral
part of the research training experience.
SPECIAL PROGRAM CONSIDERATIONS
The primary objective of the NRSA program is to prepare qualified
individuals for careers that have a significant impact on the Nation"s
research agenda. Within the framework of the program"s longstanding
commitment to excellence and projected need for investigators in
particular areas of research, attention must be given to recruiting
individuals from racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in the
biomedical and behavioral sciences. The following groups have been
identified as underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research
nationally: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans,
Alaskan Natives, and Pacific Islanders. Use of the term "minority" in
this announcement will refer to these groups.
Other considerations relate to the duration of training and the
transition of trainees to individual support mechanisms. Studies have
shown that the length of the appointment to a training grant for
postdoctoral trainees with health-professional degrees strongly
correlates with subsequent application for and receipt of independent
NIH research support. Training grant program directors, therefore,
should limit appointments to individuals who are committed to a career
in research and plan to remain on the training grant or in a non-NRSA
research experience for a cumulative minimum of 2 years. It has also
been shown that transition to independent support is related to career
success. Therefore, program directors should encourage postdoctoral
trainees to apply for the individual postdoctoral fellowships (F32) or
mentored career development awards (K awards). During the review of
training grant applications, peer reviewers will examine the training
record to determine the average duration of training appointments for
health-professional postdoctoral trainees and whether there is a record
of transition to individual support mechanisms.
Past studies have shown that health professional trainees, who train in
combined programs with postdoctoral researchers with an intensive
research background, are more likely to apply for and receive research
grant support. Programs located in clinical departments that focus on
research training for individuals with the M.D. or other health-
professional degrees should consider developing ties to basic science
departments or modifying their program to include individuals with
research doctorates when this approach is consistent with the goals of
the program. Applications should describe the basic science
department"s contribution to the research training experience and also
indicate whether both health professional trainees and trainees with
research doctorates will be included in the training program.
Finally, Program Directors are encouraged to develop methods for
ongoing evaluation of the quality of the training program. Although,
the T32 application process requires extensive career tracking
information, it is often useful to obtain more proximal feedback from
trainees. For example, Training Program Directors are encouraged to
develop plans to obtain feedback from current and former trainees to
help identify weaknesses in the training program and to provide
suggestions for program improvements. Applicants are encouraged to
include a description of these plans in their competing applications.
ALLOWABLE COSTS
Stipends: National Research Service Awards provide funds, in the form
of stipends, to graduate students and postdoctoral trainees. A stipend
is provided as a subsistence allowance to help trainees defray living
expenses during the research training experience. It is not provided
as a condition of employment with either the Federal Government or the
awardee institution. Stipends must be paid to all trainees at the
levels approved by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human
Services. Stipend levels are adjusted nearly every year and current
stipend levels are available on the NIH website at:
https://grants.nih.gov/training/nrsa.htm.
The training institution may not alter established stipend levels.
Further, stipend amounts are not to be changed in the middle of an
appointment period. Stipends may be adjusted only at the time of
appointment or reappointment. Finally, stipends must be based on the
levels established for the current fiscal year of the grant.
For appointments of less than a full year, the stipend will be based on
a monthly or daily pro-ration. The monthly stipend amount is
calculated by dividing the current annual stipend by 12. The daily
stipend is calculated by dividing the current annual stipend by 365.
For postdoctoral trainees the appropriate stipend level is based on the
number of FULL years of relevant postdoctoral experience at the time of
appointment. Relevant experience may include research experience
(including industrial), teaching, internship, residency, clinical
duties, or other time spent in full-time studies in a health-related
field following the date of the qualifying doctoral degree.
Tuition, Fees, and Health Insurance: The NIH will offset the combined
cost of tuition, fees, and health insurance (either self-only or family
as appropriate) at the following rate: 100 percent of all costs up to
$3,000 and 60 percent of costs above $3,000. Costs associated with
tuition, fees, and health insurance are allowable only if they are
applied consistently to all persons in a similar research training
status at the institution regardless of the source of support. A full
description of the tuition policy is contained within the Grants Policy
Statement at
https://grants.nih.gov/archive/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/part_iib_4.htm#_Toc504812072.
Other Trainee Costs: Trainee travel, including attendance at scientific
meetings that the institution determines to be necessary to the
individual"s research training, is an allowable trainee expense. In
addition, support for travel to a research training experience away
from the institution may be permitted. Research training experiences
away from the parent institution must be justified considering the type
of opportunities for training available, the manner in which these
opportunities differ from and compliment those offered at the parent
institution, and the relationship of the proposed experience to the
trainee"s career stage and goals. This type of research training
requires prior approval from the NIH. Letters requesting such training
may be submitted to the NIH awarding component at any time during the
award period. Under exceptional circumstances, which can include
providing accommodations for a trainee with disabilities, it is
possible to request institutional costs above the standard rate.
Requests for additional trainee costs must be explained in detail and
carefully justified in the application. Consultation with NIH program
staff in advance of such requests is strongly advised.
The institution may receive up to one twelfth of the annual amount
designated for training related expenses (see below) each month to
offset the cost of tuition, fees, health insurance, travel, supplies,
and other expenses for each short-term, health-professional research
training position.
Training Related Expenses: Institutional costs of $2,200 a year per
predoctoral trainee and $3,850 a year per postdoctoral trainee may be
requested to defray the costs of other research training related
expenses, such as staff salaries, consultant costs, equipment, research
supplies, and travel expenses for the training faculty. Training
related expenses may be adjusted in future fiscal years.
Facilities and Administrative Costs: A facilities and administrative
allowance (indirect cost allowance) based on 8 percent of total
allowable direct costs (this excludes amounts for tuition, fees, health
insurance, and equipment) may be requested. Applications from state
and local government agencies may request full indirect cost
reimbursement. Information on Facilities and Administrative Costs is
available in the Grants Policy Statement at
https://grants.nih.gov/archive/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/part_iib_4.htm#_Toc504812080.
STIPEND SUPPLEMENTATION, COMPENSATION, AND OTHER INCOME
The grantee institution is allowed to provide funds to an individual in
addition to the stipends paid by the NIH. Such additional amounts
either may be in the form of augmented stipends (supplementation) or in
the form of compensation, such as salary or tuition remission for
services such as teaching or serving as a laboratory assistant,
provided the conditions described below are met. Under no
circumstances may the conditions of stipend supplementation or the
services provided for compensation interfere with, detract from, or
prolong the trainee"s approved NRSA training program.
Stipend Supplementation: Supplementation or additional support to
offset the cost of living may be provided by the grantee institution.
Supplementation does not require additional effort from the trainee.
DHHS funds may not be used for supplementation under any circumstances.
Additionally, no funds from other Federal agencies may be used for
supplementation unless specifically authorized by the NIH and the other
Federal Agency.
Compensation: An institution may provide additional funds to a trainee
in the form of compensation (as salary and/or tuition remission) for
services such as teaching or serving as a research assistant. A
trainee may receive compensation for services as a research assistant
or in some other position on a Federal research grant, including a DHHS
research grant. However, compensated services should occur on a
limited, part-time basis apart from the normal research training
activities, which require a minimum of 40 hours per week. In addition,
compensation may not be paid from a research grant supporting the
research training experience.
Educational Loans or G.I. Bill: An individual may make use of Federal
educational loan funds and assistance under the Veterans Readjustment
Benefits Act (G.I. Bill). Such funds are not considered
supplementation or compensation. Postdoctoral trainees in their first
and third years of training may also be eligible to participate in the
NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program
Concurrent Awards: An NRSA may not be held concurrently with another
federally sponsored fellowship or similar Federal award that provides a
stipend or otherwise duplicates provisions of the NRSA.
Tax Liability: Section 117 of the Internal Revenue Code applies to the
tax treatment of all scholarships and fellowships. Under that section,
non-degree candidates are required to report as gross income any monies
paid on their behalf for stipends, or any course tuition and fees
required for attendance. Degree candidates may exclude from gross
income (for tax purposes) any amount used for tuition and related
expenses such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for
courses of instruction at a qualified educational organization. The
taxability of stipends, however, in no way alters the relationship
between NRSA trainees and institutions. NRSA stipends are not
considered salaries. In addition, trainees supported under the NRSA
are not considered to be in an employee-employer relationship with the
NIH or the awardee institution. It is therefore, inappropriate and
unallowable for institutions to charge costs associated with employment
(such as FICA, workman"s compensation, or unemployment insurance) to
the training grant. It must be emphasized that the interpretation and
implementation of the tax laws are the domain of the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) and the courts. The NIH takes no position on the status
of a particular taxpayer, and it does not have the authority to
dispense tax advice. Individuals should consult their local IRS office
about the applicability of the law to their situation and for
information on their tax obligations.
SERVICE PAYBACK PROVISIONS
As specified in the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993, NRSA recipients
incur a service payback obligation only during their first 12 months of
postdoctoral support. Additionally, the Act specifies that the second
and subsequent years of postdoctoral NRSA training will serve to pay
back a postdoctoral service payback obligation. Accordingly, the
following guidelines apply:
o Predoctoral trainees are not required to sign the payback agreement
and do not incur a service payback obligation.
o Postdoctoral trainees in the first 12 months of postdoctoral NRSA
support must sign the payback agreement form (PHS form 6031) before
initiating an appointment. Postdoctoral trainees in their first 12
months of support will incur a period of service payback obligation
equal to the period of support.
o Postdoctoral trainees in the 13th and subsequent months of NRSA
postdoctoral support are not required to sign the payback agreement
form and will not incur a service payback obligation for this period of
support. In addition, the 13th and subsequent months of postdoctoral
NRSA support are considered acceptable payback service for prior
postdoctoral support. For example, postdoctoral trainees who continue
under that award for 2 years have fulfilled the obligation incurred
during the first 12 months of support by the end of the second year.
o Service payback obligations can also be paid back after termination
of NRSA support by conducting health-related research or teaching
averaging more than 20 hours per week of a full work year.
o Recipients with service obligations must begin to provide acceptable
payback service on a continuous basis within two years of termination
of NRSA support. The period for undertaking payback service may be
delayed for such reasons as temporary disability, completion of
residency requirements, or completion of the requirements for a
graduate degree. Requests for an extension must be made in writing to
the NIH specifying the need for additional time and the length of the
required extension.
o Recipients of NRSA support are responsible for informing the NIH of
changes in status or address.
o For individuals who fail to fulfill their obligation through service,
the United States is entitled to recover the total amount of NRSA funds
paid to the individual for the obligated period plus interest at a rate
determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. Financial payback must be
completed within 3 years beginning on the date the United States
becomes entitled to recover such amount.
o Under certain conditions, the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (or those delegated this authority) may extend the
period for starting service or repayment, permit breaks in service, or
in rare cases in which service or financial repayment would constitute
an extreme hardship, may waive or suspend the payback obligation of an
individual. Detailed information on the accrual and repayment of the
NRSA service payback obligation and waivers is available at
https://grants.nih.gov/archive/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/part_iib_5.htm#_Toc504812118.
o Officials at the awardee institution have the responsibility of
explaining the terms of the payback requirements to all prospective
training candidates before appointment to the training grant.
Additionally, all trainees recruited into the training program must be
provided with information related to the career options that might be
available when they complete the program. The suitability of such
career options as methods to satisfy the NRSA service payback
obligation must be discussed.
TRAINEE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The institution must submit a completed Statement of Appointment (PHS
Form 2271) for each trainee appointed or reappointed to the training
grant. This Form must be completed at the beginning of the initial
appointment and annually thereafter. Additionally, a completed Payback
Agreement (PHS Form 6031) must be submitted for each postdoctoral
trainee in their first twelve months of support. Within 30 days of the
end of the total support period for each trainee, the institution must
submit a Termination Notice (PHS Form 416-7). Failure to submit the
required forms in a timely, complete, and accurate manner may result in
an expenditure disallowance or a delay in any continuation funding for
the award. All of these forms are available on the NIH website at
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm#training.
LEAVE
In general, trainees may receive stipends during the normal periods of
vacation and holidays observed by individuals in comparable training
positions at the grantee institution. For the purpose of these awards,
however, the period between the spring and fall semesters is considered
to be an active time of research and research training and is not
considered to be a vacation or holiday. Trainees may receive stipends
for up to 15 calendar days of sick leave per year. Sick leave may be
used for the medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Trainees may also receive stipends for up to 30 calendar days of
parental leave per year for the adoption or the birth of a child when
those in comparable training positions at the grantee institution have
access to paid leave for this purpose and the use of parental leave is
approved by the program director.
A period of terminal leave is not permitted and payment may not be made
from grant funds for leave not taken. Individuals requiring periods of
time away from their research training experience longer than specified
here must seek approval from the NIH awarding component for an unpaid
leave of absence. At the beginning of a leave of absence, the trainee
must submit a Termination Notice (PHS Form 416-7) and upon return from
the leave of absence, the trainee must be formally reappointed to the
grant by submitting an updated Statement of Appointment (PHS Form
2271). Trainees within the first twelve months of postdoctoral support
must also submit a Payback Agreement (PHS Form 6031) upon return from a
leave of absence.
PART-TIME TRAINING
Under unusual and pressing personal circumstances, a Program Director
may submit a written request to the awarding component to change a
trainee appointment to less than full-time. Such requests will be
considered on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the awarding
NIH Institute or Center in advance for each budget period. The nature
of the circumstances requiring the part-time training might include
medical conditions, disability, or pressing personal or family
situations such as child or elder care. Permission for part-time
training will not be approved to accommodate other sources of funding,
job opportunities, clinical practice, clinical training, or for other
responsibilities associated with the trainee"s position at the
institution. In each case, the Program Director must submit a written
request countersigned by the trainee and an appropriate institutional
business official that includes documentation supporting the need for
part-time training. The written request also must include an estimate
of the expected duration of the period of part-time training, an
assurance that the trainee intends to return to full-time training when
that becomes possible, and an assurance that the trainee intends to
complete the research training program. In no case will it be
permissible for the trainee to be engaged in NRSA supported research
training for less than 50 percent effort. Individuals who must reduce
their commitment to less than 50 percent effort must take a leave-of-
absence from NRSA training grant support. The stipend will be pro-
rated in the grant award during the period of any approved part-time
training. Part-time training may affect the rate of accrual or
repayment of the service obligation for postdoctoral trainees.
WHERE TO SEND INQUIRIES
We encourage your inquiries concerning this Program Announcement and
welcome the opportunity answer questions from potential applicants.
Applicants are encouraged to call, email, or write the appropriate
contact listed at the end of this announcement.
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Applications must be prepared using the Institutional NRSA Section of
the PHS 398 research grant application instructions and forms (rev.
5/2001). The PHS 398 is available at
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html in an
interactive format. For further assistance contact GrantsInfo,
Telephone (301) 710-0267, Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov.
Applications Requesting Short-term Training for Health Professional
Students: Applicants who wish to include a request for short-term
research training positions must identify short-term positions
separately within the "stipends" and "training related expenses"
categories on the budget page. Under "stipends," short-term positions
are to be listed in the "other" category. Tuition, fees, health
insurance, trainee travel, and other expenses are to be included in
"training related expenses" category for short-term positions. The
description of the short-term research training program should be
included in the application for the regular research training program,
but should be separated from the description of the regular program
within each section of the application. In addition to the information
requested in the "program plan" section, the applicant must address the
relationship of the proposed short-term program to the regular research
training program and provide assurance that the short-term program will
not detract from the regular program. Applicants must observe the 25-
page limit on the narrative section.
NIBIB accepts all T32s types on all three T32 receipt dates. (See NOT-EB-03-010)
APPLICATION RECEIPT DATES AND REVIEW SCHEDULE
Application Initial Council Earliest
Receipt Review Review Possible
Date Date Date Start Date
Jan 10 Jun/Jul Sep/Oct Jan 1
May 10 Oct/Nov Jan/Feb Apr 1
Sep 10 Feb/Mar May/Jun Jul 1
The schedule of receipt dates for the individual NIH institutes and
centers are listed below. Please note that many institutes and centers
have only a single receipt date. Also, please be aware that start
dates may vary. Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate
funding component to determine which dates are appropriate. Applicants
with programs that involve research training in AIDS are especially
encouraged to contact the funding institute and center in advance to
determine the appropriate receipt date.
Institute/Center Receipt Date(s)
NIA May 10
NIAAA May 10
NIAID Sep 10
NIAMS May 10
NIBIB (postdoc. training grants) Jan 10
NIBIB (predoc. training grants) Jan 10, May 10, Sep 10
NICHD May 10
NIDCD May 10
NIDDK Jan 10, May 10, Sep 10
NIDCR Sep 10
NIDA May 10
NIEHS May 10
NIGMS (postdoc. training grants) Jan 10
NIGMS (predoc. training grants) Jan 10, May 10, Sep 10
NEI May 10
NHLBI May 10
NHGRI May 10
NIMH May 10
NINDS May 10
NINR May 10
NCI Jan 10, May 10, Sep 10
NCCAM May 10
NCRR Jan 10, May 10, Sep 10
Applicants are encouraged to contact appropriate institute/center staff
before preparing and submitting an application. (See the end of this
announcement for a list of NIH contacts).
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATIONS REQUESTING $500,000 OR MORE PER
YEAR
Applications (except those assigned to NIGMS for funding) requesting
$500,000 or more in direct costs for any year must include a cover
letter identifying the NIH staff member within one of NIH institutes or
centers who has agreed to accept assignment of the application.
Applicants requesting more than $500,000 must carry out the following
steps:
1) Contact the IC program staff at least 6 weeks before submitting the
application, i.e., as you are developing plans for the program,
2) Obtain agreement from the IC staff that the IC will accept your
application for consideration for award, and,
3) Identify, in a cover letter sent with the application, the staff
member and IC who agreed to accept assignment of the application.
With the exception of training grant applications assigned to NIGMS,
NICHD, NEI, NIDCR, and NINR this policy applies to all investigator-
initiated new (type 1), competing continuation (type 2), competing
supplement (type 3), or any amended or revised version of a training
grant application. Training grant applications assigned to the NIGMS
for funding are not required to include a cover letter when annual
direct costs exceed $500,000. Additional information on this policy is
available in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, October 19, 2001
at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-004.html.
SENDING AN APPLICATION TO THE NIH
Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the
checklist, and five signed photocopies in one package to:
Center for Scientific Review
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 1040, MSC 7710
Bethesda, MD 20892-7710
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service)
All grant applications submitted to CSR must come via United States
Postal Service or a recognized delivery/courier service. Individuals
may not personally deliver packages to the building on Rockledge Drive.
For further information please see
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-012.html.
APPLICATION PROCESSING
Applications must be received by or mailed before the receipt dates
described at above. The CSR will not accept any application in
response to this PA that is essentially the same as one currently
pending initial review unless the applicant withdraws the pending
application. The CSR will not accept any application that is
essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude
the submission of a substantial revision of an application already
reviewed, but such application must include an Introduction addressing
the previous critique.
THE PEER REVIEW PROCESS
Applications submitted for this PA will be assigned on the basis of
established PHS referral guidelines. An appropriate scientific review
group convened in accordance with the standard NIH peer review
procedures (http://www.csr.nih.gov/refrev.htm) will evaluate
applications for scientific and technical merit.
As part of the initial merit review, all applications will:
o Receive a written critique
o Undergo a selection process in which only those applications deemed
to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of
applications under review, will be discussed and assigned a priority
score
o Receive a second level review by the appropriate national advisory
council or board
REVIEW CRITERIA
Although individual NIH Institutes and Centers may have specialized
review criteria, most applications are evaluated using on the following
criteria:
o Past research training record of both the program and the designated
preceptors as determined by the success of former trainees in seeking
further career development and in establishing productive scientific
careers. Evidence of further career development can include receipt of
fellowships, career awards, further training appointments, and similar
accomplishments. Evidence of a productive scientific career can
include a record of successful competition for research grants, receipt
of special honors or awards, a record of publications, receipt of
patents, promotion to scientific positions, and any other measure of
success consistent with the nature and duration of the training
received.
o Objectives, design, and direction of the research training program,
o Caliber of preceptors as researchers, including successful
competition for research support in areas directly related to the
proposed research training program,
o Quality of the institutional training environment for NRSA supported
trainees and the relationship of the NRSA program to the broader
training program (if appropriate). The level of institutional
commitment, quality of the facilities, availability of appropriate
courses, and the availability of research and research training
support,
o Quality of the applicant pool and the selection of individuals for
appointment to the training program. This assessment will include a
consideration of the racial and ethnic diversity of the trainee pool,
but will take into account the described recruitment and retention
efforts as well as the availability of individuals from
underrepresented groups within the relevant pool of applicants,
o Record of the research training program in retaining health-
professional postdoctoral trainees for at least 2 years in research
training or other research activities,
o When appropriate, the concomitant research training of health-
professional postdoctorates (i.e., individuals with the M.D., D.O.,
D.D.S., etc.) with basic science postdoctorates (i.e., individuals with
a Ph.D., etc.) or linkages with basic science departments.
Short-Term Research Training Positions: In addition to the above
criteria, applications that request short-term research training
positions will also be assessed using the following criteria:
o Quality of the proposed short-term research training program
including the commitment and availability of the participating faculty,
program design, availability of research support, and training
environment,
o Access to candidates for short-term research training and the ability
to recruit high quality, short-term trainees from the applicant
institution or some other health-professional school,
o Characteristics of the research training program that might be
expected to persuade short-term trainees to consider careers in health-
related research,
o Success in attracting students back for multiple appointments
(competing continuation applications),
o Effect of the short-term training program on the quality of the
regular research training program or any existing, stand-alone short-
term research training program, including the appropriateness of the
number of short-term positions, and the plan to integrate the short-
term training program into the regular research training programs,
o Plan to follow the careers of short-term trainees and to assess the
effect of the training program on subsequent career choices.
ADDITIONAL REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS
Minority Recruitment and Retention Plan: The NIH remains committed to
increasing the participation of individuals from underrepresented
minority groups in biomedical and behavioral research. As first
announced in 1989, all competing applications for institutional NRSA
research training grants must include a specific plan to recruit and
retain underrepresented minorities in the training program. In
addition, all competing continuation applications must include a report
on the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities during
the previous award period. If an application is received without a
plan or without a report on the previous award period, the application
will be considered incomplete and will be returned to the applicant
without review. Additional information on this requirement was
published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 22, Number
25, July 16, 1993 (see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-
files/not93-188.html).
Competing continuation and non-competing applications must include a
detailed account of experiences in recruiting individuals from
underrepresented groups during the previous funding period. Information
must be included on successful and unsuccessful recruitment strategies.
The report should provide information on the racial/ethnic distribution
of:
o Students or postdoctorates who applied for admission or positions
within the department(s) relative to the training grant,
o Students or postdoctorates who were offered admission to or a
position within the department(s),
o Students actually enrolled in the academic program relevant to the
training grant,
o Students or postdoctorates who were appointed to the research
training grant.
For those trainees who were enrolled in the academic program, the
report should include information about the duration of research
training and whether those trainees finished their training in good
standing.
The success of efforts to recruit and retain minority trainees is a
factor in the assessment of the quality of the trainee pool and thus
will be included within the priority score. In addition, peer
reviewers will separately evaluate the minority recruitment plan and
report (for competing renewals) after the overall score has been
determined. Reviewers will examine the strategies to be used in the
recruitment of minorities and whether the experience in recruitment
during the previous award period has been incorporated into the
formulation of the plan for the next award period. The review panel"s
evaluation will be included in an administrative note in the summary
statement. If the plan or the record of minority recruitment and
retention is judged to be unacceptable, funding will be withheld until
a revised plan (and report) that addresses the deficiencies is
received. Staff within the NIH awarding component, with guidance from
the appropriate national advisory committee or council, will determine
whether amended plans and reports submitted after the initial review
are acceptable.
Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research: Every predoctoral and
postdoctoral NRSA trainee supported by an institutional research
training grant must receive instruction in the responsible conduct of
research. (For more information on this provision, see the NIH Guide
for Grants and Contracts, Volume 21, Number 43, November 27, 1992, see
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not92-236.html.
Applications must include a description of a program to provide formal
or informal instruction in scientific integrity or the responsible
conduct of research. Applications without plans for instruction in the
responsible conduct of research will be considered incomplete and will
be returned to the applicant without review.
o Although the NIH does not establish specific curricula or formal
requirements, all programs are encouraged to consider instruction in
the following areas: conflict of interest, responsible authorship,
policies for handling misconduct, data management, data sharing, and
policies regarding the use of human and animal subjects. Within the
context of training in scientific integrity, it is also beneficial to
discuss the relationship and the specific responsibilities of the
institution and the graduate students or postdoctorates appointed to
the program.
o Plans must address the subject matter of the instruction, the format
of the instruction, the degree of faculty participation, trainee
attendance, and the frequency of instruction.
o The rationale for the proposed plan of instruction must be provided.
o Program reports on the type of instruction provided, topics covered,
and other relevant information, such as attendance by trainees and
faculty participation, must be included in future competing
continuation and noncompeting applications. The NIH encourages
institutions to provide instruction in the responsible
conduct of research to all graduate students, postdoctorates, and
research staff regardless of their source of support.
NIH initial review groups will assess the applicant"s plans on the
basis of the appropriateness of topics, format, amount and nature of
faculty participation, and the frequency and duration of instruction.
The plan will be discussed after the overall determination of merit, so
that the review panel"s evaluation of the plan will not be a factor in
the determination of the priority score. Plans will be judged as
acceptable or unacceptable. The acceptability of the plan will be
described in an administrative note on the summary statement.
Regardless of the priority score, applications with unacceptable plans
will not be funded until the applicant provides a revised, acceptable
plan. Staff within the NIH awarding component will judge the
acceptability of the revised plan.
Following initial review, the appropriate NIH institute or center
council, board, or other advisory group also reviews applications.
These advisory groups will consider the assessment of the scientific
and educational merit of the research training grant application as
well as the initial review group"s comments on the recruitment of
individuals from underrepresented minority groups and the plan for
instruction in the responsible conduct of research.
AWARD CRITERIA
Applications are selected for funding primarily on the basis of
scientific and educational merit, but other factors are considered,
such as: availability of funds, research program priorities, the
balance among types of research training supported by the awarding
component, the acceptability of the plan for minority recruitment, and
the acceptability of the proposal for instruction in the responsible
conduct of research. The awarding NIH institute will notify the
applicant of the final action shortly after advisory council review.
For additional information, see the current Grants Policy Statement at:
https://grants.nih.gov/archive/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/part_iib_4.htm#_Toc504812031.
INQUIRIES AND NIH STAFF CONTACTS
As indicated above, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the
individuals designated below, in advance of preparing an application,
for additional information concerning the areas of research, receipt
dates, and other types of pre-application instructions.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Dr. Robin Barr
Telephone: 301-496-9322
Email: rb42h@nih.gov
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Tina Vanderveen, Ph.D.
Office of Collaborative Research
Telephone: 301-443-2531
E-mail: tv9f@nih.gov
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Dr. Milton Hernandez
Telephone: 301-496-7291
Email: mh35c@nih.gov
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Dr. Richard Lymn
Telephone: 301-594-5128
Email: rl28b@nih.gov
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
Richard Swaja, Ph.D.
Telephone: 301-451-6771
E-mail: swajar@nibib.nih.gov
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Note: The NCI has special policies and requirements for their T32
grants.
Refer to the following URL for this information:
http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/awards/supt32guideline.htm
Drs. Lester Gorelic and Cynthia Pond
Telephone: 301-496-8580
Email: lg2h@nih.gov and cp32z@nih.gov
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Dr. Steven Klein
Telephone: 301-496-5541
Email: sk56d@nih.gov
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
(NIDCD)
Dr. Daniel Sklare
Telephone: 301-496-1804
Email: ds104i@nih.gov
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Dr. James Lipton
Telephone: 301-594-2618
Email: jl46d@nih.gov
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK)
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases
Dr. James Hyde
Telephone: 301- 594-7692
Email: jh486z@nih.gov
Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition
Dr. Judith Podskalny
Telephone: 301-594-8876
Email: jp53s@nih.gov
Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases
Dr. Terry Rogers Bishop
Telephone: 301-594-7717
Email: tb232j@nih.gov
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Office of Science Policy and Communications
Lucinda L. Miner, Ph.D.
Telephone: (301) 443-6071
Email: CM171W@NIH.GOV
Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research
Dr. Charles Sharp
Telephone: 301-443-1887
Email: cs107m@nih.gov
Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research
Dr. Kathy Etz
Telephone: 301-443-1514887
Email: ke25p@nih.gov
Division of Treatment Research and Development
Dr. Jamie Biswas
Telephone: 301-443-5280
Email: jb168r@nih.gov
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Dr. Carol Shreffler
Telephone: 919 - 541- 1445
Email: shreffl1@niehs.nih.gov
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Dr. Chyren Hunter
Telephone: 301-496-2020
Email: CLH@nei.nih.gov
http://www.nei.nih.gov/funding/t32.htm
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Dr. John Norvell
Telephone: 301-594-0533
Email: norvellj@nigms.nih.gov
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Note: The NHLBI has special policies and requirements for their T32
grants. Refer to the following URLs for this information:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/policies/t32/index.htm and
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/policies/t32/guidance.pdf
Dr. Michael Commarato
Telephone: 301-435-0530
Email: mc63a@nih.gov
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Bettie J. Graham, Ph.D.
Telephone: 301-496-7531
Email: bg30t@nih.gov
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Mark Chavez, Ph.D.
Division of Mental Disorders, Behavioral Research, and AIDS
Telephone: 301-443-8942
Email: mchavez1@mail.nih.gov
Walter L. Goldschmidts, Ph.D.
Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science
Telephone: (301) 443-3563
Email: wgoldsch@mail.nih.gov
Enid Light, Ph.D.
Division of Services and Intervention Research
Telephone: (301) 443-1185
Email: elight@mail.nih.gov
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
NINDS Training and Career Development Officer
Telephone: 301-496-4188
Email: NINDSTrainingOffice@ninds.nih.gov
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Dr. Nell Armstrong
Telephone: (301) 594-5973
Email: nell_armstrong@nih.gov
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Nancy J. Pearson, Ph.D.
Telephone: 301-594-0519
Email: pearsonn@mail.nih.gov
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Franziska Grieder, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Telephone: 301-435-0744
Email: griederf@ncrr.nih.gov
REQUIRED FEDERAL CITATIONS
MONITORING PLAN AND DATA SAFETY AND MONITORING BOARD: Research
components involving Phase I and II clinical trials must include
provisions for assessment of patient eligibility and status, rigorous
data management, quality assurance, and auditing procedures. In
addition, it is NIH policy that all clinical trials require data and
safety monitoring, with the method and degree of monitoring being
commensurate with the risks (NIH Policy for Data Safety and Monitoring,
NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, June 12, 1998:
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-084.html).
INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN CLINICAL RESEARCH: It is the
policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their
sub-populations must be included in all NIH-supported clinical research
projects unless a clear and compelling justification is provided
indicating that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health
of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This policy results
from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law
103-43).
All investigators proposing clinical research should read the AMENDMENT
"NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in
Clinical Research - Amended, October, 2001," published in the NIH Guide
for Grants and Contracts on October 9, 2001
(https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-001.html), a
complete copy of the updated Guidelines are available at
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/women_min/guidelines_amended_10_2001.htm.
The amended policy incorporates: the use of an NIH definition
of clinical research, updated racial and ethnic categories in
compliance with the new OMB standards, clarification of language
governing NIH-defined Phase III clinical trials consistent with the new
PHS Form 398, and updated roles and responsibilities of NIH staff and
the extramural community. The policy continues to require for all NIH-
defined Phase III clinical trials that: a) all applications or
proposals and/or protocols must provide a description of plans to
conduct analyses, as appropriate, to address differences by sex/gender
and/or racial/ethnic groups, including subgroups if applicable, and b)
investigators must report annual accrual and progress in conducting
analyses, as appropriate, by sex/gender and/or racial/ethnic group
differences.
INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN
SUBJECTS: The NIH maintains a policy that children (i.e., individuals
under the age of 21) must be included in all human subjects research,
conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and
ethical reasons not to include them. This policy applies to all initial
(Type 1) applications submitted for receipt dates after October 1,
1998.
All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should
read the "NIH Policy and Guidelines" on the inclusion of children as
participants in research involving human subjects that is available at
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/children/children.htm.
REQUIRED EDUCATION ON THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECT PARTICIPANTS: NIH
policy requires education on the protection of human subject
participants for all investigators submitting NIH proposals for
research involving human subjects. You will find this policy
announcement in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts Announcement,
dated June 5, 2000, at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-
files/NOT-OD-00-039.html.
HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS (hESC): Criteria for federal funding of
research on hESCs can be found at
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/stem_cells.htm and at
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-005.html.
Only research using hESC lines that are registered in the NIH Human
Embryonic Stem
Cell Registry will be eligible for Federal funding (see
http://escr.nih.gov). It is the responsibility of the applicant to
provide the official NIH identifier(s)for the hESC line(s)to be used in
the proposed research. Applications that do not provide this
information will be returned without review.
PUBLIC ACCESS TO RESEARCH DATA THROUGH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT:
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 has been
revised to provide public access to research data through the Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA) under some circumstances. Data that are (1)
first produced in a project that is supported in whole or in part with
Federal funds and (2) cited publicly and officially by a Federal agency
in support of an action that has the force and effect of law (i.e., a
regulation) may be accessed through FOIA. It is important for
applicants to understand the basic scope of this amendment. NIH has
provided guidance at
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/a110/a110_guidance_dec1999.htm.
Applicants may wish to place data collected under this PA in a public
archive, which can provide protections for the data and manage the
distribution for an indefinite period of time. If so, the application
should include a description of the archiving plan in the study design
and include information about this in the budget justification section
of the application. In addition, applicants should think about how to
structure informed consent statements and other human subjects
procedures given the potential for wider use of data collected under
this award.
URLs IN NIH GRANT APPLICATIONS OR APPENDICES: All applications and
proposals for NIH funding must be self-contained within specified page
limitations. Unless otherwise specified in an NIH solicitation,
Internet addresses (URLs) should not be used to provide information
necessary to the review because reviewers are under no obligation to
view the Internet sites. Furthermore, we caution reviewers that their
anonymity may be compromised when they directly access an Internet
site.
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010: The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to
achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of
"Healthy People 2010," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority
areas. This PA is related to one or more of the priority areas.
Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2010" at
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople.
AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS: NRSA Institutional Research Training Grants
are made under the authority of Section 487 of the Public Health
Service Act as amended (42 USC 288). Title 42 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 66, is applicable to this program. This program is
also described under the following numbers in the Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance: 93.121, 93.172, 93.173, 93.272, 93.278, 93.282,
93.306, 93.361, 93.398, 93.821, 93.837-93.839, 93.846-93.849, 93.853-
93.856, 93.859, 93.862-93.868, 93.871, 93.880, 93.894, and 93.929. For
additional information, see the current Grants Policy Statement at:
https://grants.nih.gov/archive/grants/policy/nihgps_2001/part_iib_4.htm#_Toc504812031.
The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-
free workplace and discourage the use of all tobacco products. In
addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits
smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a
facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care,
health care, or early childhood development services are provided to
children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and
advance the physical and mental health of the American people.
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-015.html.